Foundation Program

Foundation in Graphic Arts is a full-time program covering the principles, techniques, and methods of graphic arts.

This is a comprehensive 1-year program giving students an in-depth preparation in drawing, as well as etching techniques and materials. Projects are of mixed length to develop core manual and observational skills alongside developing individual intuition. Pencil, charcoal, sanguine and ink (drawing and printing) are all explored. Classes are predominantly practical and studio based; the course also incorporates seminars, lectures (anatomy and art history) and guided museum visits. This course teaches basic skills and techniques in order to gain visual literacy and hand-eye coordination. The course is taught by FAA Principal Instructors and supervised by the Program Coordinator.

The overall aim of the program is for students to acquire key techniques to support individual artistic development in drawing; a skill considered fundamental to reach excellence in painting, sculpture, or other art forms. Students explore three-dimensional form and confront the human figure (life drawing, portrait, self-portrait) to produce varied works from short sketches, through to fully resolved representations using different media. They are taught to break down the complex task of learning to draw from life into gradual steps through the completion of several projects, and are required to attend an Anatomy course throughout their study to deepen their understanding of the structure of the human form. These weekly anatomy classes are part of the Florence Academy’s accredited curriculum for the 3-year Certificate Programs.

A series of guided visits to museums in Florence allow students to understand the value of the city as an extension of the classroom. They gain an understanding of the role and meaning of disegno as a living characteristic of Florence and learn how to interact with historical works of art to guide and inspire their own practice.  

As well as supporting individual artistic development, the course is also suitable as a foundation study program to support further progression at undergraduate level, or more advanced atelier level training.

Additional Information

After successful completion of the 1-year Foundation in Graphic Arts, students will have completed all anatomy lectures of the 3-year Certificate Programs, and completed a number of key objectives of the Intensive Drawing Program. At the end of the program, students that have successfully completed all projects, have the opportunity of a Priority Application Review if they wish to apply to the 3-year full-time Certificate Programs.

Please note, while students in the 1-year Foundation Program are reviewed as priority, acceptance into the 3-year Certificate Programs is not automatically guaranteed and is subject to limited places available.

Medium & Materials

Students explore various mediums and materials including pencil, charcoal, sanguine, ink (both for drawing and copper-plate etching), and other relevant materials required for the projects.

Dates & Schedule

Class Times
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9am – 4pm
Thursdays are dedicated to individual studio lab time or scheduled museum visits. During lab time students continue to work individually on their projects with studio assistance 9am – 4pm.

Anatomy classes: Monday evenings from 5pm
Art History lectures: Friday evenings from 5:30pm
Museum visits: A series of guided visits (schedule communicated at the start of each term)

For more information visit Calendar & Tuition.

Application Deadlines
February 1, 2025 (early acceptance) & April 15, 2025

Applicants will be notified about their application status by the Registrar within three weeks after the application deadline.

For more information visit Application Procedures.

Location

ADDRESS: Via Aretina 293, Florence, Italy